The New York Knicks FINALLY have their “Young Core”

New York Knicks: Julius Randle’s transformation has changed the course of the franchise

Julius Randle may have just turned 26 years old, and it may be a stretch to call him a “Young player”, but it looks as though he just entered his prime. There’s no other way to put it: Randle has blossomed into a star player.

“Star player” may instantly trigger debates and arguments on what the “true definition” is, but Randle has played at a level that no Knick has in a very long time. Randle may be older than the homegrown players but he has embraced his role as the leader of this team. The Knicks suddenly have an All-Star player in his prime to lead the way and help their promising draft-picks develop.

Randle’s game helps everyone else – He stretches the floor, demands double teams, dominates the glass, and he hits big shots when it counts. He’s the alpha-dog on the team. There are plenty of teams with “A promising group of young players” with no direction – The Bulls, Kings, T-Wolves, Magic – Who knows where they will go, they still seem directionless. The Knicks have a young core and a direction.

It’s never easy for a young team to find a balance of player development and winning basketball, and it doesn’t come without casualties — The Knicks have essentially buried Frank Ntilikina and Kevin Knox on the depth chart. Yet the team has found a group of young players who have bought into coach Tom Thibodeau’s system, and it genuinely feels like there is a strong culture in place. The Knicks look built to last.

The Knicks’ core-4 of Randle, Barrett, Quickley, and Robinson are players of all different positions and skillsets. When the season is over, the Knicks will add 2 more first-round draft picks in what is expected to be a phenomenal 2021 draft class. The future of The New York Knicks is looking bright.